‘Heat-Smart’ schools during physical education (PE) activities: Developing a policy to protect students from extreme heat

Abstract

National and state surveys of school sun protection policies and practices demonstrate that being a member of a SunSmart Program improves sun protection practices in primary schools, often lead by Health and Physical Education (HPE) teachers. Australia's major Sunsmart program implemented in primary schools has largely focused on limiting children's exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. Yet another major hazard during outdoor physical education activities is the impact of extreme heat on school students. With physical education (PE) often occurring in hot environments and involving higher intensities (and heart rates), exposure to heat influences are raised. This research reports on a social-ecological model (SEM) review and text mining analysis of key heat protection policies and practices for the development of a five stage Heat Smart action plan in schools. The five stage action plan of Heat Smart strategies can be used to counteract extreme heat exposure during PE and ensure school students continue to meet key national physical activity and curricular objectives.

Perceived Social-Ecological Barriers of Generalist Pre-Service Teachers towards Teaching Physical Education: Findings from the GET-PE study

“…The influences of heat and whether there were enough resources to protect primary school students against extreme weather was noted as perceived barriers. In very hot climates, environmental heat can negatively influence engagement in outdoor PE activities via heat stress (Hyndman, 2017b) which can cause children to appear 'listless' or 'restless', complain about the heat/humidity and voice negative feelings about physical activity throughout a school year from heat stress (Doecke, 1992). Similar to the extremes of heat, cooler weather can negatively impact on school children's physical activity participation (Hyndman, Chancellor, & Lester, 2015).…”

Safety of School Playgrounds: Field Analysis From a Randomized Sample

“…The second element of appropriateness includes unsafe sun exposure (American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, & National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care, 2011). Research has shown modern playground materials, along with extreme hot temperature peak periods (e.g., 10 a.m.-2 p.m.), can expose students to unsafe circumstances (Hyndman, 2017). In addition, the type of playground surfacing materials under playground equipment plays a role in the playground environment's temperature.…”

Climate change and adolescents in South Africa: The role of youth activism and the health sector in safeguarding adolescents’ health and education

“…3). [47] Few interventional studies have addressed this topic, however. In one study in Costa Rica, learning outcomes improved after air conditioning was installed in the classrooms.…”